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The environment in which you work often determines how productive and creative you will be. When you work in a workstation that’s dull and colorless, your productivity usually will be inhibited and your creative juices will be less likely to flow.

6 tricks to design your workstation

Your workstation – whether it is at home or an office with other people – says a lot about who you are and how your personality affects the way you do your job. Each particular workstation configuration tells its own story about the person who works there.

Having a workstation that promotes creativity and success is especially important if you have a job in which creative thinking skills are important, such as a graphic designer or web design professional.

Regardless of your job, you are probably going to be spending a lot of your time – if not most of your work week – at your workstation. So it might as well be an environment that is comfortable and puts you in a good mood so you can be more productive.

Trick Number 1 – You’re Going to Need Some Boxes

Get yourself a few simple storage boxes. You are going to need them to organize your office and clear out the clutter. You can purchase plastic or cardboard boxes at any office supply or home improvement store. Or see if you can get some boxes for free from your local grocery store or other retail business you frequent.

These boxes represent your decision to make positive changes in your workspace. They tell the world – and yourself – that you are finally ready to take action to be more productive.

Trick Number 2 – And Away Goes the Clutter

If you don’t have an effective management system in place for your paperwork and other clutter, it can easily get disorganized and impede your creative thinking. Look around your workspace: Are there piles of papers and reports everywhere? What are they? Do you really need them?

The first step is to clean everything off the surface of your desk, other than your computer and telephone. As you are removing each item, ask yourself this question: “Have I touched this particular report/paperwork/other type of clutter in the past week?” If the answer is “yes”, put it into one pile. If the answer is “no”, put it into another.

Most of the items in your “no” pile can be stored away or thrown out. This is especially true if they are printed duplicates of reports or paperwork you already have stored in your computer or can access online.

The majority of the items in your “yes” pile also can be stored or tossed. Unless a particular report or paperwork or other item is something you absolutely need to have access to today, right now, then it has no business being on your desk. And it’s time for it to go bye-bye!

Trick Number 3 – What’s the Deal with Your Lighting?

Lighting is an area that is often overlooked, but actually can have a profound effect on both the appearance and productivity of your workspace.

Take a look at your lighting right now. Are there two separate sources of light in your room? One should come from an overhead lighting fixture or, even better, from a natural light sources such as a window. The second should come from a task light.

Trick Number 4 – Have a Focal Point

Having a focal point in your workspace directs your attention so that you can more easily keep on task. For many people, this is the laptop or PC at your workstation, but it also can be something like a calendar, a to-do list or something else that keeps you on track.

If your computer is your focal point, improve its visual impact by surrounding it with some grouped artwork or installing a screen saver or background that you find especially inspiring. This can be something like a goal you are working toward.

An area rug can also “anchor” a workspace and make you feel more grounded as you work productively.

Trick Number 5 – Colors Matter

Different colors can have a profound psychological effect on the brain, studies have shown. Colors that are “blaah”, such as oatmeal or khaki, do little to inspire creativity. Strong, vibrant colors can be oppressive and can overwhelm the senses.

Decorate your workspace with a neutral shade and a touch of color to inspire your creative side. Yellow is known to stimulate creativity, mental activity and clarity of thought. Red is aggressive and promotes selling or making deals. Blues and greens are soothing. And orange encourages socialization.

Trick Number 6 – Inspire Yourself

Find something that motivates you in your work and use it to keep you inspired. This can include such things as family photos, an inspirational quote, or even freshly cut flowers.

These six tips can help revamp your workspace so that you have a refreshed attitude and are able to take a bold, new approach to your job.